US government defends records seizure

RESPONSE:A White House spokesperson sought to deflect criticism that it was targeting the media, saying the Department of Justice operates independently

AFP, WASHINGTON

US Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, a leading member of Obama’s Democratic Party, told reporters: “I have trouble defending what the Justice Department did... it’s inexcusable.”

Trevor Timm of the Freedom of the Press Foundation said: “It’s time to stop looking at all of these leak investigations and prosecutions as ancillary to press freedom; they are a direct attack on it. This should be an important wake-up call for journalists.”

Other analysts said that the Obama administration had already gained a reputation for aggressively pursuing leaks of government secrets.